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Harry Winks shares reason for Tottenham breakthrough

28th November, 2016, 8:43 PM

By Will Butcher

Harry Winks believes he has earned Mauricio Pochettino’s trust after breaking into Tottenham’s first team.

The 20-year-old midfielder made his first Spurs Premier League start nine days ago, scoring in the 3-2 victory over London rivals West Ham before appearing from the off against Monaco in the next match.

Speaking to the Ham and High Express, Winks claimed that an impressive pre-season had earned the trust of Pochettino but remained adamant that he must continue to show the form that gained his manager’s faith.

“The manager trusts in all the players, all the young players,” Winks said. “He’s good with that – if he feels like he can trust us he’ll put us out there.

“I’ve gone out there in training and in pre-season and proved I can be trusted. But it’s important for me to keep [repaying] that trust, to keep working hard and improving. I’ve seen what football can be like, so it’s important for me to keep going.”

Tottenham’s number 29 has become a regular in Pochettino’s midfield this season, making 11 appearances in all competitions against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Champions League rivals Bayer Leverkusen.

Showing immense energy as well as an impressive array of passing and purposeful dribbling, Winks has been able to earn a place in Pochettino’s side.

His rise has seen teammates Josh Onomah and Tom Carroll demoted in Pochettino’s midfield pecking order, while £30million summer signing Moussa Sissoko has also been pushed aside.

Winks has now made a total of 14 league and cup appearances in his Tottenham career, after making his debut in November 2014 against Partizan Belgrade during a Europa League tie.